Backward Compatibility Playtest

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We test every backward compatible Xbox game in our library.

By Jonathan Miller

After receiving numerous reports of backward-compatible Xbox titles producing errors on the Xbox 360, we went through our entire library of Xbox games that are on Microsoft's current backward compatibility list to see what works for ourselves. Overall, we came away pleased. All but four of our 46 titles we played seemed to function normally. Typically, we only played a few minutes of each title, and also keep in mind that there are more than 200 titles on Microsoft's list, so by no means did we get to every single game for an extended period of time.

Before we started, we made sure to download the latest emulator update on Xbox Live. Microsoft emphasized on Xbox.com that while it doesn't expect every BC game to be bug-free, it will respond in a "timely manner" to the bugs out there.

"This is where our extensive testing process comes into play," said Todd Holmdahl, the Corporate Vice President of the Xbox Product Group on Xbox.com. "Sure, it takes us longer to get the games out there, but we have the benefit of knowing that each game will feel and play like it should. Now, I'm not saying that all of our games will be completely bug free, but the probability is definitely less. Of course, if there is a problem, we'll handle it in a timely manner."

Our boy Ryu is nowhere near as fast on the 360.

Microsoft also says there are no set dates for emulator updates, and a company representative said today that the customer service team reads every email that is sent to backcomp@microsoft.com. Also on Xbox.com, it was reported that the backward compatible team has identified problems with Mortal Kombat: Deception, Ninja Gaiden and Ninja Gaiden Black, Fight Night Round 2, The Incredibles: Rise of the Underminer, Jade Empire Limited Edition, and Tetris Worlds.

Of the games we played, we found errors in Fable: The Lost Chapters, Ninja Gaiden Black, Ford vs. Chevy and Half-Life 2. Obviously, some of these titles are the best Xbox games on the market, and it's a disappointment for 360 owners that either sold their old Xbox or purchased these acclaimed BC titles to play on a new 360.

Fable produced an almost dizzying dip in the framerate, especially troublesome when the character is turning. During Ninja Gaiden Black, the game would slow down periodically, usually about every 30 seconds for reasons we couldn't quite pinpoint. It didn't seem to happen in the same area's every time or while performing certain moves -- it was almost as if the emulator just couldn't handle what Ninja Gaiden was throwing at it. Of course, Ninja Gaiden absolutely pushed the Xbox to its brink as well. Half-Life 2 also slowed down a lot, with dips in framerate that occasionally made the beautiful scenery extremely choppy. Also, after each load point, the game would slow to an absolute crawl for about three to four seconds. That was an error on the Xbox too, but it is more pronounced on the 360. The few that played Ford vs. Chevy on the 360 probably noticed that the game looked like it was being played online with an extreme case of lag.

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